Questions In Romans

I just wanted to clear something up. You’ve stated that it was the Jews themselves who caused their own blindness. If that is so, then how come Paul writes in Romans 11:9-10, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears that they could not hear”?

Paul again writes in Romans 11:25-27. “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Then explain to me what Paul meant in Romans 11:28-32, “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

A

God gave them a “spirit of stupor” because they rejected the Messiah who was so clearly presented to them. Jesus announced that fact to them on the first Palm Sunday (Luke 19:41-44) From then on it was too late, the focus shifted to the Gentiles. When God has taken the full number of Gentiles, he’ll return to Israel and a remnant consisting of members of all of the 12 tribes will be saved. This is what the phrase “all Israel will be saved” means.

God’s call to His people has not been canceled, nor has it been transferred to the Gentiles. Ezekiel 39 tells us that God will awaken them at the end of that battle to return to their Old Covenant relationship and build a Temple again. Zechariah 12:10 says that toward the end of the Great Tribulation they will finally recognize that Jesus is their Messiah and always has been. Soon after that the Lord will return and restore their Kingdom in Israel.

About Grace thru Faith

Jack Kelley published over 9,000 Bible Study resources here from 1999, until the Lord called him home in the fall of 2015. His teachings made the Bible clear and easy to understand, and impacted millions of lives. He is the author of all the teachings here, and all materials are available free of charge! His wife Samantha maintains this site as well as their missionary outreaches.